Concerned residents and councillors flocked to a rally organised to protest about the destruction of a prized nature spot.

People gathered at the Ashby Road entrance of Hinckley’s Big Pit to show opposition to plans to fill in the flooded clay quarry as a precursor to building 60 homes.

Petition papers were available to sign and participants were able to log their comments on the planning portal of the borough council’s website where Orbit Housing Association’s planning application for the 60 affordable homes can be viewed.

Many comments pointed to problems with flooding and fears any development will simply exacerbate the issue.

Evidence collected by the Big Pit Resistance Group appears to show the pit is fed by a number of natural springs. There are worries these springs will have nowhere to go if the watercourse is filled in.

Protestors staged a rally opposing plans to fill in the Big Pit lake in Hinckley

Objector Ian Blockley said: “I have lived in the area all my life and walked around the Big Pit on at least two times when it had drained before. I have seen several springs still feeding into the pit and noticed that, when left to refill, it is back up to full level within a couple of weeks. The area is totally unsuitable for any development work and should be left as a natural asset.”

Meanwhile Leicestershire County Councillor Michael Mullaney (Lib Dem, De Montfort) said: “The increased risk of flooding that is likely if the Big Pit is built on is a serious concern which must be taken into account. The original appeal decision allowed development on the site only if stringent conditions were applied. This showed what a risky undertaking any building on the Big Pit site would be.

“Orbit who want houses built on the site consider themselves a socially responsible organisation as such they should realise that it would not be suitable to build their tenants’ homes on this site.”

The Big Pit off Ashby Road, Hinckley, when the pool was full and flora was in full bloom.

A full planning application from Orbit Group Limited has been lodged with the council and will be decided at an upcoming meeting.

The scheme involves draining the Big Pit then dumping 75,000 cubic metres of inert material into the void before work starts on constructing the homes.

Planning permission for the infill works was granted on appeal in December 2014.

Orbit say surveys and reports demonstrate the proposals are technically acceptable and the development will provide valuable, affordable housing.